Non-rectangular and/or non-orthogonal arrangement of gambling elements in a gaming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved multiple payline gaming method and apparatus wherein a multiplicity of independently driven symbol carrying elements are arranged in a non-orthogonal and/or non-rectangular array and are combined with a plurality of individually selectable paylines intersecting various combination of the elements so as to give a game player various degrees of latitude in choosing potential outcomes available as a result of each gaming proposition. Means may also be provided for allowing selection of special payout opportunities based upon certain positional relationships between various ones of the elements and their displayed symbols.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/100,612, filed Sep. 16, 1998, entitled“Non-Rectangular And Non-Orthogonal Arrangement Of Gambling Elements”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to gaming methods and apparatusof the slot machine type, and more particularly, to an improved multiplepayline gaming method and apparatus wherein a multiplicity ofindependently driven symbol carrying elements are arranged in anon-orthogonal and/or non-rectangular array and are combined with aplurality of individually selectable paylines intersecting variouscombination of the elements so as to give a game player various degreesof latitude in choosing potential outcomes available as a result of eachgaming proposition. Means may also be provided for allowing selection ofspecial payout opportunities based upon certain positional relationshipsbetween various ones of the elements and their displayed symbols.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In typical multiple payline gaming devices such as the slotmachines found in many casinos throughout the world, a play field, faceplate, video screen or other display means including a plurality ofthree, four or five reels, or other rotating objects or images theretois often provided for either real or virtual spin operation. Each suchobject contains at least one symbol which, upon stoppage of the object'srotation, may align with one or more horizontally or diagonallyextending paylines. The symbols aligned along a particular payline, whencompared to a pay table, then determine the result of a gamblingproposition. For example, if the gaming device is a three reel apparatuswherein, upon stopping of its rotation, each reel reveals three playsymbols at a time, the device may contain up to three horizontalpaylines and two diagonal paylines where each payline encompasses orextends across three play symbols at a time; i.e., one symbol or spacetherefor on each reel. Such an array is illustrated in FIG. 1 of thedrawing and includes three reels 10-14 of a type usually positionedbehind a real or virtual face plate 16 having windows or sets of windows18-22 for revealing one or more reel carried symbols on each reel. Thereels are independently driven and stopped at random positions by a reeldrive system 23. The face plate 16 is also inscribed with 3 horizontalpaylines 24-28 and 2 diagonal paylines 30 and 32. Note that each paylinecrosses a window or symbol location (or space therefor) on each reel.Although arguably such apparatus could also include additional diagonalpaylines, crossing only two of the reels, no such payline configurationis known to exist. Note that in the illustrated arrangement, it wouldnot be feasible to have vertical paylines, even though three play symbollocations would lie beneath the intersected windows, because therelationship between the three adjacent symbols on each reel is fixedand clearly not a random organization of elements.

[0004] Games of the illustrated type do not provide the player with playchoices other than that directly associated with the number of coins orcredits wagered. Since many players would enjoy the opportunity to makemultiple wagers per play proposition, it will be appreciated that theprior art arrangement of reels, play symbols and paylines is ratherlimiting. There is therefore a need to provide a gaming elementarrangement in which substantially more choice is given to the player interms of selection of paylines and play volatility. This would beadvantageous to the player in that his perceived chances of winningwould be enhanced. At the same time, such an arrangement would bebeneficial to the game proprietor in that it would tend to increase thenumber of wagers made by a player per play proposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anovel arrangement and utilization of multiple paylines and symbolcarrying elements within a slot machine or similar device so as toincrease the wagering opportunities that a player may make per playproposition.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a gamingmethod and apparatus of the type described wherein a player can increasehis perceived odds of winning by selecting paylines which have a higherprobability of winning but lower payout, or can select paylines thathave a lower probability of winning but a higher payout.

[0007] Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includesthe provision of a play field or screen having a plurality ofindependently and randomly changeable gaming elements arranged in anon-rectangular and/or non-orthogonal array, together with multiple,individually selectable paylines in the vertical, horizontal and/ordiagonal directions so as to enable a player to have greater choice ofplay volatility. The illustrated symbol carrying elements may be real orvirtual depictions of objects such as spinning reels, flipping cards,flipping dice, dominoes, etc.

[0008] An advantage of the present invention is that it offers theopportunity to present a unique wagering system whereby a player maywager on any of a plurality of selected outcome types.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is that it enables aplayer to select different levels of win probability versus win payoutper gaming proposition.

[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after havingread the following detailed disclosure of the several embodimentsillustrated in the several figures of the drawing.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a depiction of a prior art three-reel game havingmultiple paylines, each of which crosses one of the three elements ofeach reel;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a ten-reel embodiment of amultiple reel, multiple payline game with the reels arranged in atriangular array in accordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2a is a block diagram illustrating a method of operation inaccordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a 15-element of a multiple element, multiplepayline gaming embodiment organized in a triangular array in accordancewith the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates a 16-element embodiment of a multiple element,multiple payline game organized in a diamond shape in accordance withthe present invention; and

[0016] FIGS. 5-9 illustrate further alternative embodiments of multipleelement, multiple payline gaming layouts in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, a multiple element,multiple payline gaming field or screen is schematically depicted at 38to include 10 reels or other rotatable or otherwise changeable gamingelements designated 1-j, each having at least one gaming symbol, or ablank space in place thereof, revealed one at a time, or through a playwindow 40 perhaps formed in a real or virtual “cover plate” 42.Hereinafter it will be understood that when the term “element” is used,it means any type of gaming element, such as for example, spinningreels, playing cards, dice, dominoes, etc., having the capability ofdisplaying one or more gaming symbols (or the lack thereof) per element,displayable one at a time. Each of the reels are independently andrandomly driven by a reel drive system 44 so that all combinations ofsymbols revealed in the several windows are likewise random inoccurrence. This non-orthogonal, non-rectangular, triangular array ofelements includes three horizontal paylines “HP”, three leftwardlyinclined paylines “LIP”, and three rightwardly inclined paylines “RIP”all respectively, intersecting four, three and two sets of adjacentwindows, and three vertical paylines “VP”, each intersecting twonon-adjacent windows separated by a horizontal row of elements. Thisarrangement is unique in that it can include up to twelve multi-symbolpaylines designated II, III and IV having between two and four symbolsper payline. For example, the illustrated field is comprised of threepaylines IV including the four symbols: a-j, j-d, a-d; three 3 symbolpaylines III including: bfi, hfc and efg; and 6 two symbol paylines IIincluding: be, bh, fj, ci, cg and hi. Appropriate buttons 46, or othersuitable player input means are provided to accommodate the paylineselection. A game such as this might be organized to pay the playerawards listed on a paytable (not shown) setting fourth certaincombinations of symbols indicating winning combinations when suchcombinations are aligned along particular player selected paylines. Forexample, there could be various types of awards for obtaining

[0018] 1) 4 matching symbols on up to four selectable symbol paylinesIV;

[0019] 2) 3 matching symbols on up to three selectable symbol paylinesIII;

[0020] 3) 3 contiguous matching symbols on any selectable four symbolpayline IV;

[0021] 4) 2 contiguous matching symbols on any selectable three III orfour IV symbol paylines (wherein one of the symbols could be required tobe at the edge of a payline);

[0022] 5) 1 contiguous matching symbol on selected adjacent three III orfour IV symbol paylines (where one of the symbols could be required tobe at the edge of a payline); and

[0023] 6) 2 matching symbols on selected two symbol paylines II.

[0024] This game could also offer the following kinds of propositions:

[0025] a) Player places one wager on the entire game, i.e., covering allavailable paylines.

[0026] b) Player places wagers on only selected paylines. Sincedifferent paylines offer different payout opportunities (based onwhether the payline covers 2, 3 or 4 symbols), this allows the player tostructure his wager according to the selected payout opportunities.

[0027] c) Player places wagers on different kinds of outcomeopportunities. For example, he can place independent wagers for any ofthe outcome types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 listed above by selecting controlinputs in the form of additional outcome opportunity buttons 48 that areprovided in addition to the payline selection buttons 46.

[0028] It will thus be appreciated that the present invention is asubstantial departure from the prior art multiple payline games whereinthe paylines are only selected as a direct result of the number of coinsor credits wagered. In contrast, this invention allows not onlyindividual selection of one or more particular paylines, it also permitsthe player to select various payout opportunities (outcome types).

[0029] By way of example, a possible play scenario in accordance withthe present invention is depicted in FIG. 2a. As suggested by block 50of this diagram, the player would first select paylines to be includedin his wager. If he chooses, he can also select a particular outcomeopportunity level (block 52) or play at a default level. He then placeshis bet (block 54) by inserting coins or other means of payment, orattributes credits, followed by the activation of a “spin” button,handle pull or other input command (block 56). The reel drive system ofthe gaming device will then individually and independently “drive” eachof the several gaming elements to new display states that willcollectively represent a new random output display (block 58). A resultscomparator 60 then compares the states of the displayed elements in theselected paylines to a paytable and determines a corresponding payout(block 64) adjusted to reflect any selected opportunity level inputs.

[0030] In FIG. 3, a 15-element field is illustrated, again having anon-orthogonal, non-rectangular, triangular array configuration. In thisembodiment, the gaming elements 1-j are shown as being comprised ofmultiple die having a plurality of faces, each of which includes adifferent symbol. The horizontal, vertical and inclined paylines caninclude:

[0031] up to three five symbol paylines V: 1-j, 1-5, j-5;

[0032] up to three four symbol paylines IV: 2-i, h-4, a-d;

[0033] up to four three symbol paylines III: eb3, 3 fj, 3 cg, eft; and

[0034] up to seven two symbol paylines II: 2 a, 4 d, hi, bh, ze, 4 j,ci.

[0035] This game could include the same kind of propositionopportunities as in the ten reel game of FIG. 2 with additionalextensions to support for example, 3, 4 and 5 contiguous matchingsymbols on a 5-symbol line; 2, 3 and 4 contiguous matching symbols on a4 symbol line; etc.

[0036]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a 16-element “diamond” shapedconfiguration including elements 0-j. This combination offers:

[0037] up to 10 paylines IV of 4 symbols each: 0-j, 3-i, 1-g, 0-d, a-0,e-2, h-5, j-d, a-j, a-d;

[0038] up to four paylines III of 3 symbols: 1 b, hb, 2 ci, 345, efg;and

[0039] up to four paylines II of 2 symbols: 12, hi, 3 e, 5 g.

[0040] Note that not all of these paylines need to be offered for thisarrangement to be innovative.

[0041] In FIG. 5, a skewed parallelogramic array of 16 elements 0-f isillustrated which provides for:

[0042] up to 9 four element paylines IV: 0-3, 4-7, 8-b, c-f, 0-c, 1-d,2-e, 3-f, and 3-c;

[0043] up to 2 three element paylines III: 2-8 and 7-d; and

[0044] up to 8 two element paylines 11: 1-4, 2-4, 3-5, 6-8, 7-9, a-c,b-d and b-e.

[0045]FIG. 6 illustrates a 20-element laterally offset line array,including elements 0-j, which provides payline possibilities of:

[0046] up to 4 five symbol paylines IV: 0-i, l -j, g-2, h-3;

[0047] up to 7 four symbol paylines IV: 0-3, 4-7, 8-b, c-f, g-j, i-7 and2-f; and

[0048] up to 4 two symbol paylines II: 4-c, 5-d, 6-e and 7-f.

[0049] In FIG. 7 an 18-element array is depicted including elements 0-hand comprised of alternating horizontal lines of 4 and 3 elements, whichincludes

[0050] up to 4 five symbol paylines V: 0-g, 1-h, e-2 and f-3;

[0051] up to 3 four element symbol paylines IV: 0-3, 7-a and e-h;

[0052] up to 10 three element paylines III: 4-6, b-d, 7-f, 2-a, 0-e,1-f, 2-g, 3-h, 7-1 and g-a; and

[0053] up to 3 two symbol paylines II: 4-b, 5-c and 6-d.

[0054] In FIG. 8 a 13-element “star-configured” array is depictedincluding elements 0-c, which provides for:

[0055] up to 6 four element paylines IV: 1-4, 1-c, c-4, 0-8, 0-b and8-b;

[0056] up to 6 three element paylines III: 8-4, 1-b, 0-c, 4-8, 5-7, 2-aand 3-9; and

[0057] up to 4 two element paylines II: 2-9, 3-a, 5-a and 2-7.

[0058] Note that in this embodiment the element “6” could be treated asa “wild card” or special purpose element which might carry a specialbonus weighting or be separately selectable as a special “opportunityelement.”

[0059] In FIG. 9 a nine element “cross” shaped configuration is depictedincluding the elements 0-b plus an extra center positioned element “X”that could be used as a bonus element. The various combinations of thisconfiguration are labeled as multiple “layers” of elemental paylineswherein II, III and IV illustrate vertical and horizontal paylinecombinations; paylines designated by the encircled III's representdiagonal paylines passing through the center point X; the triangularlyencompassed paylines III represent additional diagonal paylines passingthrough the center element X, and rectangularly circumscribed II's andIII's represent other possible diagonal paylines not passing through“X”.

[0060] It will of course be appreciated that still other arrangementsand variations including triangle versus diamond versus irregularrectangular versus cross versus snowflake versus pentagon,configuration, etc., may also be used in accordance with the presentinvention Moreover, the orientation of the arrays may be varied. Forexample, the direction of pointing of a triangular array might have aspecial significance. In addition, geometric figures formed byintersecting lines of the arrays could be emphasized and telescopicallynested such that an outer ring of intersecting paylines might have onesignificance, where an encircled inner ring of intersecting paylineswould have another significance. Moreover, the use of paylines ofdiffering lengths could have a significance versus use of paylines ofthe same length in certain configurations.

[0061] This invention thus provides a novel gambling array and paylineselection method and apparatus in which numerous choices of playpropositions are presented to the player either alone or in combinationwith a scheme of win frequency/probability, selections that makes thegame much more interesting.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described above in termsof several alternative embodiments, it is to be understood that suchillustrations are not considered to be exhaustive. It is howeverintended that the following claims be broadly interpreted as coveringall alterations, variations, extensions and alternatives as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a gaming apparatus including a play fieldhaving an arrangement of multiple symbol carrying elements positionallyorganized to display gaming proposition outcomes at windows/locationsdisposed along one or more paylines, a player input interface, meansresponsive to the player input interface for causing the elements topresent a random display of the symbols carried thereby, and means forcomparing the symbols displayed along the paylines to a pay table todetermine and award earned winnings to the player, an improved playfield arrangement comprising: a plurality of individually driven real orvirtual symbol carrying elements for displaying at corresponding displaywindows/locations a single symbol, or a lack thereof, per gamingproposition, said windows/locations being arranged in a non-orthogonalarray; and a plurality of individually selectable paylines respectivelyintersecting different combinations of said windows/locations; wherebydepending upon his selection of one or more of said paylines, a playercan influence the probability of payout per proposition.
 2. In a gamingapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said non-orthogonal array ofwindows/locations is a triangular array having alternating odd and evennumbers of windows/locations disposed along mutually parallel paylines.3. In a gaming apparatus as recited in claim 2 and further includinginclined paylines angularly intersecting windows/locations contained inadjacent ones of said horizontal paylines.
 4. In a gaming apparatus asrecited in claim 3 and further comprising vertical paylines intersectingwindows/locations disposed in alternating ones of said horizontalpaylines.
 5. In a gaming apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein saidsymbol carrying elements are selected from the group consisting ofreels, dice, dominoes and cards.
 6. In a gaming apparatus as recited inclaim 1 wherein said array of windows forms a diamond shaped arrayincluding horizontally extending paylines, vertically extending paylinesand oppositely inclined diagonally extending paylines, each of saiddiagonally extending paylines intersecting at least twowindows/locations of said horizontal and vertical paylines.
 7. In agaming apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said non-orthogonal arrayis also non-rectangular and includes a plurality of horizontallyextending paylines intersecting equal numbers of windows/locations, aplurality of vertically extending paylines intersecting unequal numbersof windows/locations, and first set of inclined paylines intersectingequal numbers of windows/locations, and second set of inclined paylinesintersecting equal numbers of windows/locations.
 8. In a gamingapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said non-orthogonal arrayincludes a plurality of horizontally extending paylines intersectingequal numbers of windows/locations arranged in alternating rows,horizontally offset relative to adjacent rows.
 9. In a gaming apparatusas recited in claim 8 wherein said array further includes verticallyextending paylines, alternating ones of which intersect equal numbers ofwindows/locations disposed in said horizontal paylines.
 10. In a gamingapparatus as recited in claim 9 and further including inclined paylinesangularly intersecting windows/locations contained in adjacent ones ofsaid horizontally and vertically extending paylines.
 11. In a gamingapparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said non-orthogonal arrayincludes a plurality of windows arranged in a star shaped array formedby the intersections of horizontal and inclined paylines wherein eachpoint of the array is defined by at least three windows/locations, atleast two of which lie along a horizontal or inclined payline.
 12. Agaming apparatus comprising: means forming a gaming play field includinga plurality of gaming elements disposed in a non-orthogonal array, eachsaid element including at least one gaming symbol displayable in atleast a first display state and a second display state; means defining aplurality of paylines each intersecting a different plurality of saidgaming elements, each said payline defining a gaming proposition inwhich the state of the displayed symbols when compared to a paytable,defines a player's winnings; means for enabling selection of one or moreof said paylines means for causing said gaming symbols to change statesand randomly assume one of said display states; and means for comparingthe symbols displayed along each selected payline to said pay table andfor generating a corresponding payout award.
 13. A gaming apparatus asrecited in claim 12 wherein said plurality of paylines includeshorizontally extending paylines lying parallel to each other, andinclined paylines intersecting said horizontal paylines.
 14. A gamingapparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of paylinesfurther includes vertically extending paylines intersecting junctions ofsaid horizontal and inclined paylines.
 15. A gaming display for use in agaming apparatus comprising: a plurality of individually driven real orvirtual symbol carrying elements disposed in a non-orthogonal positionalarray; and a plurality of individually selectable paylines respectivelyintersecting different combinations of said elements of said array,whereby the outcome of a gaming sequence using said display is afunction of the symbols displayed along a selected one or more of saidpaylines.
 16. A method of providing a gaming display for use in a gamingapparatus comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of individuallydriven real or virtual symbol carrying elements disposed in anon-orthogonal positional array; providing a plurality of individuallyselectable paylines respectively intersecting different combinations ofsaid elements of said array, and enabling a player to select one or moreof said paylines whereby the outcome of a gaming sequence using saiddisplay is a function of the symbols displayed along a selected one ormore of said paylines.
 17. A method of providing a gaming display asrecited in claim 16 wherein said plurality of paylines includeshorizontally extending paylines lying parallel to each other, andinclined paylines intersecting said horizontal paylines.
 18. A method ofproviding a display as recited in claim 17 wherein said plurality ofpaylines further includes vertically extending paylines intersectingjunctions of said horizontal and inclined paylines.
 19. A method ofproviding a display as recited in claim 16 and further including thestep of enabling a player to select special payout opportunities basedupon certain positional relationships between various ones of theelements and their displayed symbols.
 20. A gaming apparatus as recitedin claim 12 and further comprising means for enabling a player to selectspecial payout opportunities based upon certain positional relationshipsbetween various ones of the elements and their displayed symbols.